MGB | Medium Girder Bridge

The World Leader in

Tactical Military Bridges

MGB
Medium Girder Bridge
MGB
Medium Girder Bridge

The WFEL Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) is a classic example

of high quality precision military engineering that has stood
the test of time.

In operation since 1971, over 500 MGB systems have been

acquired by 40 armed forces worldwide. The MGB is constantly
in use, and increasingly in demand, for both military and disaster
relief operations.

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multi-role capabilities. Component inter-changeability – on any
bridge of any age – continues to make this one of the most
versatile bridging systems available.

MGB units are light, easily transported, can be constructed

by hand and adapted for most tactical bridging requirements.
The system includes piers, pontoons and ferries, all engineered
for deployment with minimum manpower.

1
Building blocks
The WFEL MGB is a modular, two
girder bridging system with deck
units providing a four metre wide
roadway and optional walkway.
The basic building units consist
of seven precision-engineered light
alloy components.
Easy to assemble and lightweight,
two of the units require six personnel
to lift them while the other structural
units each require four personnel.
The deck and ramp units can be
lifted by two personnel.
Above: A 49m Link Reinforced MGB deployed in the aftermath of a natural disaster in India.
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Span, Multi-Span, Double Storey with
Link Reinforcement Set (LRS), Floating
and MACH (Mechanically Aided
Constructed by Hand).
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an optional reduced slope to provide
a smoother entry and exit to and from
the bridge.
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of MGB can be found on page 10.
2
Single Span
MGB Single Span bridges can be constructed as
either Single Storey, Double Storey or as a Double
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the number of bays used. Each individual bay is 1.83
metres in length.
Construction
The Single Storey MGB bridge is constructed using
top panels that are pinned together to create two
girders. These girders are then joined at each end
by a bankseat beam to create a rigid framework.
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are made up of top and bottom panels with junction
panels and end taper panels forming the sloping end
of the bridge.
Ramp, deck and kerb units complete the construction
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available if required.
3
Launching
Single Span MGBs are launched using a
centrally-mounted nose made from three metre
sections. During launching, the bridge is supported
by roller beams on the home bank and a single roller
on the far bank.
Single Storey MGBs are launched using one roller
beam, supported on base plates while the Double
Storey uses two.
Hydraulic jacks at each end of the roller beams
lower the bridge onto each bank after construction.
It is possible to launch Single Storey MGBs over short
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roller beam.
Clockwise from left: A Double Storey MGB bridging the gap;
Double Storey MGB with a reduced end of slope; an MGB
under construction.
Multi-Span
The Span Junction Set
The MGB Span Junction Set consists of span junction
posts, pinned together at the top and connected by
hydraulic articulators.
This gives MGB Double Storey bridges a Multi-Span
capability and allows them to be constructed over
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Multi-Span MGB can also be deployed using
a mix of existing supports, pontoons, piers and
the MGB Portable Pier Set.
The MGB Portable Pier can be constructed
independently after positioning in the river from a
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MGB Double Storey Multi-Span Bridges
MGB Double Storey Multi-Spans consist of two or
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(MLC) of 70 (T). The two span bridge can have a
length of up to 51.5 metres while the three span
can reach 76 metres.

MGB Portable Pier Set

The Portable Pier Set provides the MGB with its
own two-legged pier that can be assembled during
construction of the main bridge.

Each leg is built in three metre sections. Legs of up

to 12 metres high can be used in water with current
speeds up to 5.5m/sec (10 knots). For dry gaps, legs
of up to 18 metres can be used. The two legs pass
through housings at each end of the pier beams. Top: A three-span bridge using the Portable Pier Set.

4
 MACH
The MACH (Mechanically Aided Construction by Hand) system
reduces the size of build crews from 25 to nine personnel.
By pre-fabricating MGB components into modules in a separate
assembly area the bridge can be constructed using a suitable
crane or HIAB vehicle.
MACHs use standard MGB components, supplemented by
special sections designed to assist mechanical handling. It can
still be built by hand if the hydraulics are damaged.

1. Bridge module: Three
top panels and three bottom
panels joined by a MACH
connecting post that is one
quarter of the length of a
single panel.
2. End of bridge module:
Two top panels, one end taper
panel and one junction panel,
are joined with an end of
bridge connecting panel.
3. Construction beam:
The capsill roller beam
and assemblies are made
into complete units using
baseplate retaining hooks
and jack hoods.
4. Pallet system: Deck and
ramp units are put into pallet
loads. The base unit consists
of four standard deck units
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complete load provides four
bridge bays. The same
base unit is also used to
transport ramps.

5
Double Storey with Link
Reinforcement Set (LRS)
Construction
The MGB LRS is made up of 3.66 metre long
reinforcing links and shorter 1.83 metre links
that are pinned together to form chains under
each girder.
Suspended two metres beneath each bottom
chord of the bridge, the chains are tensioned
by pulling the reinforcing posts into the vertical
position, creating a fully reinforced structure.
The LRS extends the capacity of an MGB
to a MLC of 60 (T) on spans of up to
49.4 metres.
Transport
MGB components can be transported in a
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be delivered rapidly to its point of deployment
while using the least possible manpower.
Currently in use with many armed forces
worldwide including the UK and U.S. The
LRS is made from the same lightweight alloy
as the principal components of the MGB.
All LRS parts can be lifted by hand and
transported on standard MGB pallets.
Build time
An LRS MGB takes roughly 30 minutes longer
to build than an un-reinforced bridge of the
same span. Eight additional personnel can
install the reinforcement during the normal
build process (see page 10).
Handrail
The MGB Handrail design provides both
military and civilian drivers with increased
awareness of roadway width. It consists of
vertical connecting posts with longitudinal
handrails that create a continuous barrier
along the edge of the bridge.
Handrail components can be carried on a
standard MGB pallet or unit transport.
6
MGB | Medium Girder Bridge

Floating

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best example of its unique versatility.

Double Storey Floating MGBs provide landing bay spans of up to

Ferry 26.5 metres and are suitable for conditions where the water level
continually rises and falls.
The MGB Floating Ferry consists of a
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powered landing bays. Powered pontoons for a MLC of up to 60 (T).
provide both steering and thrust capabilities
for the ferry.
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MGB Ferries can be deployed rapidly and both can be carried on MGB Pontoons with Single Storey hinge
and built by hand using standard
MGB components. They have highly bays or Double Storey Span Junction Sets to provide articulation.
manoeuvrable load platforms, capable
of crossing most water obstacles. MGB Pontoons
The landing bays include a hornbeam The MGB Pontoon is made from marine grade aluminium alloy.
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fast embarkation of vehicles over bank
heights of up to two metres.
Two pontoons are coupled back-to-back to create each pier and
three piers make up one landing bay raft.
MGB Ferries are available in three
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JSHZZPÄJH[PVUZVMIL[^LLU;[V; Powered pontoons are driven by a 75HP diesel engine with a water
Additional MGB Pontoon piers can be jet propulsion unit.
used for higher load classes.

Fully laden pontoons can operate in currents of up to 2.5m/sec

(4.85 knots).

Transportation
For ease of transportation and storage the MGB pontoon is of an
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Saddle Anchorage Point

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with a demountable rack structure making them compatible with
Guide Rollers
modern military materials handling systems.
Foam
Buoyancy
Skid
Winch Self Draining Valve
Single Storey Floating MGB
Delauncher Lever Top Connectors The Single Storey Floating MGB is built in a continuous construction
from one site allowing one bay of the bridge to be added every
30 seconds.
Shoot Bolt
Skids

Bottom Connectors Launching is made simple and steady by deploying a winch cable
across the gap at the front of the bridge.
Diagram: The underside of the MGB pontoon
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shallow or obstructed waters.

7
Double Storey Floating MGB
With landing bays up to 26.5 metres long, the Double Storey Floating
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lengthy landing bays also suit conditions where the water is very
shallow, close to the bank or where the bank is marshy.
Double Storey Floating MGBs use fewer pontoons than the Single
Storeys and can be built in either Multi-Span or continuous form
depending on the length of the crossing:
• Two spans for gaps of 31.1 metres to 51.5 metres.
• Three spans for gaps of 51.5 metres to 76 metres.
• Bridges greater than 76 metres can be built using three spans,
but with intermediate pontoon piers placed at intervals in the
centre section of the crossing. This creates a highly economical
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at the landing bays.
Above:([HURJYVZZPUNHÅVH[PUN4.)
“The build was delayed several times by
traffic congestion from the 3rd Infantry
Division that was moving towards
Baghdad. The night was without natural
illumination. Soldiers were navigating
with night vision goggles and the limited
number of chem-lights. Twice, chemical
alerts put soldiers in MOPP 4 conditions
for 45 minutes each time. All the time
the unit was also building a Medium
Girder Bridge... which was emplaced
by dawn.”
Cpt. Steven J. Thompson, Commander,
299th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge),
U.S. Armed Forces on crossing the Euphrates
River during the battle over Objective Peach.
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MGB | Medium Girder Bridge

Technical specification

Bankseat Beam

Junction Panel

Deck Unit

Top Panel

Ramp Unit

End Taper Panel

Unit Weight

Bankseat Beam 258kg

Junction Panel 182kg

Deck Unit 74kg

Top Panel 175kg

Bottom Panel
Ramp Unit 120kg

End Taper Panel 272kg

Bottom Panel 197kg

Single Storey bridge configuration

Double Storey bridge configuration

9
 Launch sequence showing use of MGB launching nose

1. Landing roller carried to far bank

2. Launching roller supporting launching nose

3. Touch down on far bank, still on rollers

4. Jack down

Single Storey Double Storey Double Storey LRS

Military Load Span Bridge Span Bridge Span Bridge

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(tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes)

70 9.8 5.8 31.1 21.3 42.0 30.9

60 9.8 5.8 31.1 21.3 49.4 –

50 9.8 5.8 34.8 23.8 – –

40 11.6 6.6 38.5 26.1 – –

30 15.2 8.0 42.0 28.4 – –

20 19.0 9.5 47.6 31.3 – –

Best time Planning time

(minutes) (minutes)

Personnel Length Type MLC Day Night Day Night

1+8 9.8m Single Storey 70 12 35 30 45

1+16 22.6m Single Storey 16 40 65 60 75

1+24 31m Double Storey 70 40 70 75 120

2+32 49.4m Double Storey LRS 60 86 – 180 210

1+32 51.5m Double Storey 2 Span 70 150 – 240 –

3+40 76m Double Storey 3 Span 60 360 – 480 –

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The World Leader
in Tactical
Military Bridges
WFEL Limited
Sir Richard Fairey Road,
Heaton Chapel,
Stockport, Cheshire
SK4 5DY England
Tel: +44 (0)161 975 5700
Fax: +44 (0)161 431 3575
info@wfel.com
www.wfel.com

About WFEL

WFEL has supplied equipment and support to 40 armed

forces across the world for over four decades. Our
expertise – built on over a century of engineering excellence
and innovation – ranges from concept design
to full scale production of rapidly deployable, modern
bridging systems for use in military and disaster relief and
emergency scenarios. We also provide a full package
of value-added support services including training,
inspection, maintenance, repairs and spares,
IV[OPU[OLÄLSKHUKH[V\Y<2IHZLKLUNPULLYPUN
site in Stockport.

© WFEL Limited 2018